Legal Downloads???

In view of the recent RIAA victory (in my backyard), I'd like our members to list their favorite LEGAL DL sites. Include the pros and cons and cost. For example... Rhapsody charges 89 cents per download, but do they have everything recent? iTunes charges 99 cents, but do you have to re-rip each song to play from your computer...etc, etc...

BTW: this isn't an argument thread for whys or why nots of illegal DL's... just list LEGAL sites for the benefit of everyone, who may now be considering the legal route.

http://www.7digital.com/

Pros - Tracks available in higher bit rate (224 or something)
Accepts credit cards, paypal, lots of payment methods
LEGAL

Cons - Download is WMA so you have to burn to CD to remove DRM
Have to pay in british pounds
More expensive than iTunes and others

http://www.buymusic.com

Pros: SOME tracks available in 256k
Browse and buy music on the web, don't have to install software

Cons: Only SOME tracks available in high quality, most are 128

I was under the impression that you could only use iTunes if you had an Apple device. Has that changed? How current are the songs?

I was under the impression that you could only use iTunes if you had an Apple device. Has that changed? How current are the songs?

It's fairly current some things aren't there like for example... Beatles, AC/DC, Metalica, and Garth Brooks to name a few...

Another thing that is bother some to me is that they don't list the dates tracks were actually recorded since most come from compilations so instead they use the release date of the album instead of the actual date the track may have first hit store shelves... for example you might get an ABBA tune that was recorded and released in the 70s only to see a date of 2005 because that's the date that the album that they got the track from came out. So you're left to do the research to accurately date your music.

If you try to search by year and popularity you'll only be able to search the previous year... but if you know what's current and hot usually you can find it.

You still have to burn to CD then covert back to mp3 to play on anything other than iTunes or an Apple devices like an iPod....

They now also offer higher bit rates as well. The standard bit rate which is 128 is aken to a 192mp3 and the higher rate is pretty darn good.

I use iTunes all the time... and when I can't find it there I goto yahoo.music, napster, and wal-mart online.

But, as mentioned all of these sites have user agreements that are pretty clear that use of downloaded music in a commercial environment is prohibited and your access to these sites can be denied. Same as if you buy your CD's from BMG for example.

Using purchased CD's from stores and music houses puts most of us in the gray area (let's not discuss that here)... so who can tell us where the easiest and best way to DL legal songs for use by DJ's (other than Promo Only, along with the other DJ services)?

Let's list the choices by name, DL options and cost (as in the example in post #1). Does anyone use an "unlimited" DL site that charges a monthly fee?

...at the lack of responses to this question. Doe's everyone already have legal outlets that they don't care to share, or is the "alternative" the main avenue of DLing music? I'd really like to know what alternatives are available out there.

I'll Start: requirments cost per song

iTunes

Napster

Rhapsody

Yahoo.music

Wal-mart

I have used Wal-Mart.com in the past.
0.88 per download last time I looked.
They have most current Country tracks

Thanks, Ty.

The only DL site we've used is Wally Mart. To be honest, I am not impressed with the sound quality of their lossy .wav files. It's OK for last-moment needs when ya ain't got no other choice but it doesn't sound anywhere near as good as a CD. It just ain't got that full range warmth.

I'll be the first to admit that my ears ain't what they once were. But if I can notice the difference, I know the clients and guests will notice.

I was under the impression that you could only use iTunes if you had an Apple device. Has that changed? How current are the songs?

Tyrone you are correct but a work around is to copy the file from Itunes to a CD which it will let you do then ripping that as an MP3 file at 192kps. There are some programs that can convert the file out there though. Itunes now also has Itunes plus which cost 30 cents more but are MP3 files already done at I believe 256kps not sure but I think that is right.

I just wish they would come out with a high quality MP3 company here in the US at a good price not to low but not to high that is legal. I know that ebay and used CD have helped me develope a large collection of past music also our local CD store has tones of old but good quality used CD's they love me. )

Rhapsody
Puretracks

both adequate sources.

Amazon.com now has drm free (not file protected) mp3 download for about the same price as itunes. Their selection is limited so far because some of the major labels aren't going for it yet. Walmart is doing the same thing all to compete with apple (itunes).

Downloads from itunes can be played on your windows PC with a free program called itunes! The AAC format may work on some DJ programs but someone else will have to chime in on that. These are also copy protected, but can be copied to several computers.

As for Walmart's wma format, from my experience you can't just copy the songs to another computer, or even a CD. Maybe I did something wrong but what I got was the appearance of a copied wma that wouldn't play. Then I noticed the size of 44k!

As for re-recording AAC or WMA files to convert them into mp3, it's no longer a legal copy. But I believe that as long as you paid for the downloads you're not gonna get sued. Walmart at least keeps a record of the songs you've bought for years.

Everything said here has merit, but it's not the subject I was looking for on this thread.

Here's the pre-requisite: An individual wants to down load legal music (for what ever reason). What are the various methods for accomplishing this?

Thanks!

Everything said here has merit, but it's not the subject I was looking for on this thread.

Here's the pre-requisite: An individual wants to down load legal music (for what ever reason). What are the various methods for accomplishing this?

Thanks!

sorry ty...didn't mean to hijack.

itunes
napster
walmart

Is the new WalMart thing with DRM free MP3s up?

Last time I checked, I couldn't get in, because they required IE, and it wouldn't work with FireFox...

Thread split. Discussion of download source's legality is now here: http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8865

thanks for the adjustment

Everything said here has merit, but it's not the subject I was looking for on this thread.

Here's the pre-requisite: An individual wants to down load legal music (for what ever reason). What are the various methods for accomplishing this?

Thanks!

Hi Everyone .
Has anyone tried Sprial Frog Download sit , it's Free and the Record Companies support it
http://www.spiralfrog.com/ Check it out
Rich Freeze

I use Napster and I-tunes. If one does not have certain songs the other usually does. (except those artist that choose not to permit their music be downloaded)
I burn EVERYTHING to CD because I want a hard copy in case I need to reripp. no different than having a Primecuts disc and ripping from that (with the exception that the source file was AAC on the download)
I pay the 99 cents and chalk it up to doing business. I even downloaded an obscure Neil Young song for the brides dad (request) right at the event (WiFi) and got an extra $100 from him just for playing it.
Some of the benifits of wireless and download sites.
But as to "legal" sites...
I like I-tunes and Napster
Some like Walmart and Rhapsody

I bought a couple of songs from Amazon.com last week (needed them for gigs this weekend). They were just 89 cents and very good quality. No DRM, payment was automatic with the credit card I have on file, and they downloaded fast. I was very impressed.

Yesterday I read in Rolling Stone about Amazon's music downloads. Apparently (for now) just two of the 4 major music labels are selling through them. Amazon is making a big move to compete with iTunes.

Rolling Stone made a good point that the OTHER major labels would be stupid to not join up. Amazon will be pushing big to compete with iTunes during the holidays. Expect to see lots of advertising.

If you had a choice to buy from iTunes...low quality, restricted use, for 99 cents... Or Amazon: 89 cents, good quality, no DRM... Well the choice is clear for us DJ's.

Anyone else used Amazon yet? I was pleased and will definitely use it again. It is useful and using it SUPPORTS the idea of reasonable priced, high quality, DRM-free music. Win-win.

Oh yeah...Amazon is trying to recruit artists who haven't allowed their music to be downloaded thus far.

A little band called Radiohead, for example. That shows promise.

Tyrone,

I use Napster, and I BELIEVE that they are legal. However, a lack of response here may also be due to uncertainty. No one is really privy to all of the inner workings of the companies involved.

For instance: In karaoke, Sound Choice enjoys a strong reputation and has been around quite a while. Nevertheless, they were recently involved in some licencing issues that forced them to take some of their product out of circulation.


Promo Only advertises in all the DJ trade papers. I believe that they are on the up and up. The question is, how sure can you be?

If you're not sure, do you really want to list your source?

The other reason for less of a response ( and I'm gonna get flamed for this) is that it is my personal OPINION, based on nothing but gut instinct, that illegal downloading is much more prevalent in the industry than most would like to admit....

That's exactly what I was thinking due to the lack of input. I don't normally like to get involved in this type of discussion for that very reason, but I was personally looking for outlets for my own information.

I'm currently looking at Amazon... seems like they have lots of current hits.

I'm pretty stoked about Amazon. As I said earlier in this thread, I've been using them the most lately (over buying CDs) and it seems to make wayyyyy more sense.

Why buy the whole CD when you can buy the two good songs on it for less than a couple bucks? And later on if someone requests a different song on the CD... buy that track too.

I hope other stores (and record companies) follow Amazon's example - and I hope that their example is good enough for others to follow. The time can't be far away when they realize that while CD's are just fine (and until now I've preferred them, whether I rip them to mp3 or not,) digital downloads are the future and the future is now.

I myself am not overly worried about the legality of using Amazon, iTunes, Walmart, etc as far as DJ'ing is concerned. Even if it made it to court (and I still think the warnings are regarding the ASCAP, etc fees anyway) I don't think it would make it very far. IMHO, if an individual has receipts, whether for CDs or digital downloads, for all his/her music, he needn't worry -- whether it's for personal use or public performance -- as long as the venue is taking care of the appropriate licensing fees.

Just my $0.02

I'm pretty stoked about Amazon. As I said earlier in this thread, I've been using them the most lately (over buying CDs) and it seems to make wayyyyy more sense.

Why buy the whole CD when you can buy the two good songs on it for less than a couple bucks? And later on if someone requests a different song on the CD... buy that track too.

I hope other stores (and record companies) follow Amazon's example - and I hope that their example is good enough for others to follow. The time can't be far away when they realize that while CD's are just fine (and until now I've preferred them, whether I rip them to mp3 or not,) digital downloads are the future and the future is now.

I myself am not overly worried about the legality of using Amazon, iTunes, Walmart, etc as far as DJ'ing is concerned. Even if it made it to court (and I still think the warnings are regarding the ASCAP, etc fees anyway) I don't think it would make it very far. IMHO, if an individual has receipts, whether for CDs or digital downloads, for all his/her music, he needn't worry -- whether it's for personal use or public performance -- as long as the venue is taking care of the appropriate licensing fees.

Just my $0.02

ding ding ding.... we have a winner!

I echo your statements.... their EULA's for sure say you'd be in violation of using music purchased from sites like iTunes and Napster... however, unless I missed it I didn't see a EULA for Amazon's site... even if it does the worst that could happen in this case is they deny your IP or account from downloading from their site.

thanks for all the info.

I use i-tunes first then search Rhapsody next. Good to know about other options when I can't find what I'm looking for (which is usually a clean version of some hip/hop song)